KENYATTA UNIVERSITY Ref.: KU/ACAD/SOP/8.

5-3

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Ver.: 1.0

EFN 402/412: Comparative and International

Title: Date: 21st August, 2023
Education

Title of the course

Programme: Regular
Academic year: 2023/2024
Campus: Main Campus
Lecture Hours: 35 hours
Blended Learning/Teaching
2. Purpose of the course
Comparative and international education is a discipline within the field of education. Its main
purpose is to enlighten those who study it on systems of education and issues/problems in
education with a view to broadening their perspective on educational problems and attempted
solutions. The discipline seeks to improve the students’ understanding of theory and practice of
education in the countries studied in relation to origins of problems/issues and educational
factors that influence its development. This would further enhance the students’ knowledge on
other systems of education in the world with a view to learning lessons from them. Various
issues that affect education in the world and Kenya in particular are addressed. This should
enable the student to understand that his/her country is not peculiar. Other countries also face
similar problems and solutions have been attempted in light of the understanding of these
systems of education and problems they face.
3. Expected Learning Outcomes of the Course
The main objective of this course is to facilitate a sharpened sense of critical and analytical
thinking on issues of education: to enable students to think and analyze educational issues
objectively, making sound and consistent decisions.
The expected learning outcomes of the course should be to introduce learners to:
i) Foundations of comparative education as a distinct discipline in the study of
education in terms of its nature, historical development, methods and concepts.
 KENYATTA UNIVERSITY Ref.: KU/ACAD/SOP/8.5-3

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Ver.: 1.0

EFN 402/412: Comparative and International

Title: Date: 21st August, 2023
Education

ii) Factors that help to determine and shape systems of education in the world making
them to be the way they are
iii) Issues that often influence education policy, content, theory and practice, thus being
able to justify their activities as education.
4. Course Content
Course content should include all topics to be covered under the course.
No Topic Day/date Time Group Mode
1 Introduction: An overview of the course unit, 7/9/2023 9-11.00 A.M A Face to face
scope, aims/purpose and rationale of Comparative
and International Education
7/9/2023 5-7.00PM B Face to face
2 Development of Comparative Education up to the 8/9/2023 12-1PM A Online
end of 18th Century
8/9/2023 2-3PM B Online
 The phase of travellers’ tales
3 Development of Comparative Education during 14/9/2023 9-11AM A Face to face
the 19th Century:
14/9/2023 5-7PM B Face to face
Contribution by the pioneers
The phase of Selective education borrowing.
4 Development of Comparative Education since 15/9/2023 12-1PM A Online
1900:
15/9/2023 2-3PM B Online
 The phase of Concern for cultural context:
Contribution by
Philosophers; Historians, etc.
 The phase of Social Science perspective
5 The role of Institutions in the development of 21/9/2023 9-11AM A Face to face
Comparative Education:
21/9/2023 5-7PM B Face to face
 Learning Institutions, International
Agencies, Comparative Education
Societies.
6 Methodology in Comparative Education: 22/9/2023 12-1PM A Online
 Traditional Approaches
22/9/2023 2-3PM B Online
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QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Ver.: 1.0

EFN 402/412: Comparative and International

Title: Date: 21st August, 2023
Education

7 Social science Approaches 28/9/2023 9-11AM A Face to face

28/9/2023 5-7PM B Face to face
8 Modern/Convectional Approaches 29/9/2023 12-1PM A Online
29/9/2023 2-3 PM B Online
9 Introduction to comparative studies of Systems of 5/10/2023 9-11AM A Face to face
Education:
5/10/2023 5-7PM B Face to face
 Determinants of systems of Education
10 Sample systems in Europe: England 6/10/2023 12-1PM A Online
6/10/2023 2-3PM B Online
11 Sample Systems in Europe and Asia : France and 12/10/2023 9-11AM A Face to face
China
12/10/2023 5-7PM B Face to face
12 Sample Systems in Asia: Japan 13/10/2023 12-1PM A Online
13/10/2023 2-3PM B Online
13 Sample Systems in Asia and America: Singapore 19/10/2023 9-11 AM A Face to face
and USA
19/10/2023 5-7PM B Face to face
14 Sample systems in America: Cuba 20/10/2023 12-1PM A Online
20/10/2023 2-3PM B Online
15 Sample Systems in Africa: South Africa and East 26/10/2023 9-11AM A Face to face
Africa
26/10/2023 5-7PM B Face to face
16 Education changes and Reforms in curriculum: A 27/10/2023 12-1PM A Online
comparative perspective
27/10/2023 2-3PM B Online
17 Minorities, Gender and Education in Africa: A 2/11/2023 9-11AM A Face to face
comparative perspective
2/11/2023 5-7PM B Face to face
18 The education and Training of teachers: A 3/11/2023 12-1PM A Online
comparative perspective
3/11/2023 2-3PM B Online
19 Higher Education in Africa: A comparative 9/11/2023 9-11AM A Face to face
perspective
9/11/2023 5-7PM B Face to face
 KENYATTA UNIVERSITY Ref.: KU/ACAD/SOP/8.5-3

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Ver.: 1.0

EFN 402/412: Comparative and International

Title: Date: 21st August, 2023
Education

20 Brain drain and Education in Africa 10/11/2023 12-1PM A Online

10/11/2023 2-3PM B Online
21 Dependence and interdependence in education: A 16/11/2023 9-11AM A Face to face
comparative perspective
16/11/2023 5-7PM B Face to face
22 Tutorials 17/11/2023 12-1PM A Online
17/11/2023 2-3PM B Online
23 Tutorials 23/11/2023 9-11AM A Face to face
23/11/2023 5-7PM B Face to face
24 Tutorials 24/11/2023 12-1PM A Online
24/11/2023 2-3PM B Online

5. Mode of delivery
The mode of delivery includes lectures, discovery learning, problem-based learning, experiential
learning, group-based learning, independent studies and e-learning.

6. Instructional materials and/or equipment

 Power point Presentations
 Use of Smart Board

7. Course Assessment for EFN 402

CAT 1 – Group Term paper -30%
CAT 2 – Sit in – 30%
Examinations- 70%
Pass mark-40%
8. Course Assessment for EFN 412
 The course will be assessed through term paper questions, class presentations (Oral), Sit-
in CATs and final Sit-in Examination as follows:
 Term paper questions or Class presentations- 40 marks
 Sit-in CAT- 40 marks
 Sit-in Examination- 60 marks
 KENYATTA UNIVERSITY Ref.: KU/ACAD/SOP/8.5-3

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Ver.: 1.0

EFN 402/412: Comparative and International

Title: Date: 21st August, 2023
Education

 Passmark 50%

8. Core reading materials for the course

1. Chaube S.P. & A. Chaube, (2006): Comparative Education, New Delhi, Vikas Publishing
House PVT LTD
2. Chege F., Oanda I., & Sifuna D.N. (ed), (2006), Themes in Foundations of Education.
Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta Foundations
3. Eckstein, M.A. and Noah, H.J. (1960): Towards a Science of Comparative Education.
London, Macmillan.
4. Hall, W.D. (1990): Comparative Education: Contemporary Issues and Trends. London.
Jessica Kingsley
5. Broadfoot, P. (2000). Comparative education for the 21st century: retrospect and
prospect. Comparative Education, 36(3), 357-371.
6. Wolhuter C, I. Kamere and Karen Biraimah (Editors) (2013) A student textbook in
Comparative Education Platinum Press Potchefstroom

RECOMMENDED REFERENCE MATERIAL

9 Recommended reference materials
7. Altbach, P.G. Kelly, G. (eds), 1986): New Approaches to Comparative Education.
London, Macmillan.
8. Altbach, P.G. et.al. (eds), (1982): Comparative Education. New York
9. Bereday, G.Z.F and Lauwewrys, J. (eds), 1967: The World Yearbook of Education.
London Evans Brothers
10. Bereday, G.Z.F (1964): Comparative Methods in Education. New York, Macmilla.
11. Cohen, R.M. (ed), (1984): International Handbook of Education Systems Chichester.
John Wiley & Sons
12. Eckstein, M.A. and Noah, H.J. (1960): Towards a Science of Comparative Education.
London, Macmillan.
13. Getao, F.N. (1996): International Education System: A Textbook in Comparative
Education. London, Macmillan
14. Hans, N. (1958): Comparative Education: A Study of Factors and Traditions. London,
Routledge & Kegan Paul
15. Hans, N. (2008) Prophets of Education Comparative Education New Delhi, Sarup & sons
16. Holmes, B. (1981) Comparative Education: Some Considerations of Method In
Comparative Education. London. Allen & Unwin
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QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Ver.: 1.0

EFN 402/412: Comparative and International

Title: Date: 21st August, 2023
Education

17. Holmes, b. and Van De Graff (1973): Relevant Methods in Comparative Education.
Hamburg. UNESCO
18. Holmes, B. (1965): Problems in Education: A Comparative Approach. London.
Routledge & Kegan Paul
19. Kubow P.K. & Fossum P.R. (2003) Comparative Education: Exploring Issues in
International Context, New jersey, Merrill Prentice Hall
20. Sodhi T.S. (1998) Textbook of Comparative Education, New Delhi, Vikas Publishing
House PVT LTD

S/R REGISTRATION DAY & APPROXIM LECTURER GROUP

NUMBERS/ GROUP LECTURE ATE NO. OF
HALL STUDENTS
1. ALL 8-4-4 Students (Reg No THU 9-11 305 Dr. Gitonga, P. A
 KENYATTA UNIVERSITY Ref.: KU/ACAD/SOP/8.5-3

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Ver.: 1.0

EFN 402/412: Comparative and International

Title: Date: 21st August, 2023
Education

/2019 and Below; am OML 4

E35/2045/2020- E35/2114/2020
2. E136/6593/2020- THU 9-11 312 Dr. Wasilwa, W. A
E136/6630/2020; am OML 5
E23/0236/2020-
E23/7439/2021;
E23S/12271/2020-
E23S/13725/2020;
E34/0004/2020- E34/5332/2020
E35/2116/2020- E35/2191/2020
3. E34/5333/2020 – THU 9-11 312 Dr. Muricho, P. A
E34/6596/2020; am OML 7
E35/0106/2020- E35/2042/2020
E35/2192/2020- E35/2261/2020
5. E35/2396/2020- THU 5-7pm 312 Dr. Karanja, D. B
E35/8365/2020; OML 3
E35S/10019/2020-
E35S/13701/2020
E35/2262/2020- E35/2333/2020
6. E37/1162/2020- THU 5-7 pm 301 Dr. Gathara, P. / Dr.
E37/6642/2020; OML 4 Kamere, I. B
E37S/12005/2020-E37S/16779/
2020; E40; E41; E41S

10. Sample questions for tutorials

A: Foundations of comparative education as a field of study: General Theory
 KENYATTA UNIVERSITY Ref.: KU/ACAD/SOP/8.5-3

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Ver.: 1.0

EFN 402/412: Comparative and International

Title: Date: 21st August, 2023
Education

1. Discuss the definition, scope, aims and the rationale of studying comparative education as
a discipline.
2. With specific examples, show the relevance of the study of comparative education to:
i. Your country
ii. Teacher education programmes in your country.

3. a)State the main phases in the development of comparative education;

b) Discuss the motivations and characteristic activities in each of the phases;
4. Discuss the relevance of motivations and activities in comparative education to the theory
and practice of education in your country today.

5. Discuss the role of learning institutions, international agencies and societies in the
development of comparative education as a discipline.

6. Comparative education has been characterized by debates with regard to its methodology.
Discuss.
7. Discuss any one method of approach in comparative education and show how you can
apply it. Illustrate your answer with specific examples.

8. i. You have been posted to a school that is known to have problems of discipline among
students and poor performance at public examinations.
ii. Show how you would use aspects of methodology in of comparative education to
contribute to reform in the school performance.

B: Area Studies: Comparative study of systems of education

1. There are factors that help to determine and shape systems of education to be the way
they are.
a) Name six of these factors.
b) Explain how any two of these factors have shaped systems of education in various
countries of the world. Illustrate your answer with specific examples.
2. There are aspects in systems of education of other countries that could be a source of
reference in improvement of education in your country. Discuss this statement in the
light of any one of the following countries:
a) England
b) France
c) U.S.A.
d) Singapore
e) Japan
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QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Ver.: 1.0

EFN 402/412: Comparative and International

Title: Date: 21st August, 2023
Education

3. Discuss how the political philosophy of any ONE of the following countries has
combined with historical factors to influence its system of education.
a) South Africa
b) Cuba
c) China
d) Cameroon
4. Discuss what you consider as the key features of education in any one of the socialist
countries you have studied.
Show how your country can use this experience as a frame of reference in improvement
of aspects in its system of education.
5. a) Identify and state topic areas in systems of education which may be studied in a
comparative perspective.
b) Elaborate on the topic areas you have identified and stated in (a) above.

C: Topical/Thematic studies: comparative studies of issues or problems in education

1) There are factors that create problems or issues in education, name five of these factors.
Explain how the factors you have named have created problems or challenges in
educational process in your country.
Compare and contrast proposed solutions.

2) i. Discuss six factors that have contributed to disparities in educational participation in

schools in developing countries.
ii. Compare the nature of disparities in Africa and proposed solutions to the problems.

3) i. Discuss six factors which are creating problems in the development of higher education
in Africa today.
ii. Compare and contrast solutions offered to these problems by different countries in
Africa.

4) Discuss five issues arising from language and education.

5) Discuss five issues arising from education and development.

6) i. “Brain drain is a problem, particularly in the Third World today”. Discuss.

ii. Compare the impact of solutions adopted by Third World countries to counteract brain
drain.
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QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Ver.: 1.0

EFN 402/412: Comparative and International

Title: Date: 21st August, 2023
Education

7) Citing examples from countries of your own choice, Identify and discuss factors
influencing the education and training of teachers in Africa.

8) i. From a comparative perspective, discuss the gender issues in education in your country.
ii. Identify strategies can be employed to improve the gender issues you have identified
above.

9) i. Define the term higher education

ii. Discuss the historical development of higher education in Africa

10) i. Identify and discuss five major challenges affecting higher education in Africa.
ii. Suggest five possible ways of enhancing performance in higher education in Africa.

11) i. Highlight five reasons why ICT should be integrated into education and learning
ii. Discuss five challenges in integrating ICT in education

12) Discuss how dependence has become a major obstacle to educational development in
African countries

13) Discuss issues arising from urbanization and education

14) Discuss the changes and reforms in Kenya’s Educational Curriculum.

15) Discuss how education can steer your country towards the achievement of Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Wasilwa Wanyama
EFN 402/412: Course Coordinator